25 Months Gone: 1955 Jaguar XK140 Roadster – Sold?

June 3, 2023, Update – While this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s history, we suspect it may not actually be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” However, we will keep an eye out for an updated listing. In the interim, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

May 1, 2023 Update – The seller of this restored 1955 Jaguar XK140 Roadster we’ve been tracking the sale of since February 2021 changed their asking price in their existing Craigslist ad. After months of no sale at $125,000, followed by two weeks of no sale at a lowered $110,000, what does the seller do?  He raised the asking price to $135,000. We’ll never understand the outdated notion that prices increase in the spring in the internet age.

April 13, 2023 Update – The seller of this restored 1955 Jaguar XK140 Roadster we’ve been tracking the sale of since February 2021 post their latest replacement listing.  This time around, however, they finally opted to lower their asking price from $125,000 to $110,000. The seller has a history of temporarily lowering their asking price, so we will keep an eye out to see whether they change their mind again soon.

March 12, 2023 Update – The seller replaced their expiring listing with a fresh Craigslist ad.  This time around, the seller relisted the car again at $125,000.

February 3, 2023 Update – In their latest Craigslist ad spanning the past two years, the seller lists the car at $1 with no reference to the actual price in their brief description.

January 1, 2023 Update – The seller replaced their expiring Craigslist ad with a fresh listing.  After nearly two years of trying to sell their restored vintage Jag, the seller reduced their asking price from $125,000 to $119,000.

November 27, 2022 Update – After a two-week pause following the expiration of their latest Craigslist ad, the seller of this 1955 Jaguar XK140 we’ve been tracking the sale of for nearly two years posted a fresh listing.  In it, the pictures, description, and $125,000 asking price all remain the same.

November 4, 2022, Update – While this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s history, we suspect it may not actually be sold yet.  We’re labeling this ride “Sold?” unless we come across a replacement listing.

September 28, 2022 Update – After apparently enjoying the car for another year, this restored 1955 Jaguar XK140 Roadster we’ve been tracking the sale of since February 2021 is back on the market again.  This time, the seller increased their asking price by $10,000 from $115,000 to $125,000. The market for these cars in the past year has increased, and as such, the seller’s increase reflects the overall market trend.

January 14, 2022 Update – While this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s history, we suspect may not actually be sold yet.  We’re labeling this ride “Sold?” until we come across a new listing.

December 8, 2021 Update – The Internet and Guys With Rides Never Forget. After an additional four-month hiatus following the expiration of their last listing, the private seller of this frame-off restored 1955 Jaguar XK140 just posted a fresh ad with only one dollar as the asking price.  We think it’s safe to assume the real ask remains at the $115,000 level.

August 27, 2021 Update – After a six-month absence following the expiration of their original listing, the seller of this vintage Jaguar we first featured in early February just posted a fresh listing. Unlike their original ad, this time the seller entered an asking price of $115,000.

March 19, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found, we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” until we come across a new listing.

The E-Type (Later XKE) wasn’t the only Jaguar to stun the automotive world when it debuted.  In 1948, Jaguar shocked a rebuilding world with its swoopy new XK120.  Jaguar claimed the 120 stood for the car’s top speed capabilities.  The Xk120 won many sports car racing titles during and after production, including three straight LeMans titles from 1951 through 1953.  The XK 120’s follow-up model was the XK140, introduced in late 1954 and sold as a 1955 model. Exterior changes that distinguished it from the XK120 included more substantial front and rear bumpers with over-riders and flashing turn signals above the front bumper.

Jaguar produced the XK140 in three body styles: A fixed Head Coupé (“FHC”), a Drophead Coupé (“DHC”), and the Roadster (“OTS)” – for Open Two Seater). This restored burgundy over gray leather 1955 Jaguar XK140 For Sale, first spotted on Craigslist in February 2021 in Lyons, Illinois (Chicago), is an OTS model.  We can make true comparisons with the new listing showing an asking price of $125,000.  Comparing the asking price to the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $100,000 and its #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $169,000. As a second data point, the Collector Car Market Review reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $110,000 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $160,000.

The Hagerty Insurance Valuation Tool provides a nice synopsis of the XK140:

When the XK140 took over as Jaguar’s flagship sports car in 1954, it had a serious challenge, following in the tracks of the spectacular XK120. True, it looked a lot like the car it followed, but there were quite a few differences, too. The large bumpers and heavier cast grille may have taken away a little of the model’s inherent grace, but this new trim provided far better protection from the large Detroit behemoths that populated the sports car’s largest market in America.

And while the weight went up slightly, so did the power of the 3.4-liter, twin-cam six, which was up to 190 horsepower in standard trim. As a result, performance remained on a par with its predecessor. The uprated engine was mated to the same four-speed manual unit used in the XK120, although overdrive was now available.

From the introduction, three bodies were offered: the open two-seater, a drophead, and a fixed head with 2+2 seating. In 1955, a three-speed automatic became optional on the drophead and fixed head coupe. There was a further model proliferation in that each of the three body styles was offered in three versions: the standard car, the M version with dual exhaust, wire wheels, and fog lamps, and the MC, which received all the M equipment as well as the cylinder head from the competition C-Type. The top-of-the-line MC (known in the UK as SE) was rated at 210 bhp.

Although the basic chassis remained unchanged, the biggest difference was that the XK140 was fitted with rack and pinion steering, which improved the handling substantially.

When production ceased in 1957, a total of 8,884 XK140 had been built, and the model had been successful at retaining Jaguar’s sports car sales in its most important market—North America.”

Here’s a quick video of a similar ’55 XK140 proving a nice overview and a feel for what these cars are like to drive:

We love the color combination and the fact this example is a base car with steel wheels and poverty-style hub caps.

Here’s the seller’s original and most current description:

“UP FOR SALE FROM PRIVATE COLLECTOR IS A 1955 Jaguar XK 140 ROADSTER, FRAME OFF RESTORED, VERY NICE CONDITION, MUST SEE IT IN PERSON.
FOR MORE DETAILS. THANKS“

Show or go: what would you do with this restored Jag?  Comment below and let us know!